As we slowly transition from the long wet miserable winter, it’s time to again consider the importance of adequate hydration. When we recognize the greater portion of our body being water, it’s critical we maintain this dynamic percentage of our structure.
When we take note of the very fact our bones are one third water, it’s not hard to recognize how much the rest of our body is dependent on this vital substance. We can go days without food, but water withheld from the system can do far more damage than calorie restriction.
We continually lose water from our skin, kidneys, bowels, and lungs. Just sleeping in a small tent, it’s not surprising to find all kinds of condensation on the inside of the tent from the water exhaled during the night.
We’ve taken water so much for granted for so long, it would seem unlikely a person 60 years ago could even conceive water being sold as it is today, along with the vast income generated by the sale of bottled water.
Just as your car’s engine would burn up without water in the radiator, your cell structure could never survive the metabolic process of oxidation without water present.
Your biochemistry is dependent on water, both as the compound of H2O, as well as the constituents of both hydrogen and oxygen. We get oxygen from the air we breathe, but there’s some oxygen available as hydrogen is separated from water and utilized in various metabolic processes.
We lose water in the process of respiration. Moisture is required in maintaining the cell structure lining our lungs, trachea, and sinuses. As you breathe, the dry air has to be moistened to avoid damaging these delicate cells. The dryer the climate, the greater the water loss. The higher the humidity, the lower the fluid loss. Keep this in mind as the ratio of water required by your body should be regulated on a sliding scale.
Under ideal conditions, we consider the average water requirement of one ounce for every two pounds of body weight. This would calculate out for a 200 pound man requiring 100 ounces of water a day. Weather can dramatically alter this amount.
When greater amounts of fluid is lost through perspiration or even diarrhea, mineral loss must be taken into consideration along with the fluid replacement. Loss of potassium through either of these conditions will dramatically effect many cells.
A loss of potassium through perspiration can lead to inability clearing sodium from the cells. The sodium pump, found in each cell, actively moves sodium out to the cells. This action draws the water with it. This sodium pump is driven by potassium. This is the reason for swollen extremities from hot weather. When this happens it’s a sure sign of requiring more water along with additional potassium to pull the sodium out of the tissues. Both are critical in hot weather. A great source of potassium is found in fresh vegetables. Here is where the use of raw vegetable juices can help.
When seeking out sources of hydration, the consumption of distilled water is counterproductive as it’s void of minerals and is considered hungry, pulling what minerals you have, out of your system. This can be beneficial only when trying to remove inappropriate minerals from the system. Afterwards, it’s important to add back good minerals with natural means.
When considering fluid and mineral replacement, the best choice is real spring water. When a good clean source is obtained, an abundance of natural minerals should still be contained in the water. Mineral water that is considered hard contains calcium in the most usable form. This is going to carry an alkaline pH and is important in protecting against various cancers. I’m not a fan of purified water, and most city water contains halogens like chlorine or Fluoride. Both of these can mess up thyroid function by displacing iodine.
Welcome in the summer and don’t forget to hydrate. I will need to be very aware on my long hot motorcycle trip this month. Wind and heat can strip far more fluid than expected.
When we take note of the very fact our bones are one third water, it’s not hard to recognize how much the rest of our body is dependent on this vital substance. We can go days without food, but water withheld from the system can do far more damage than calorie restriction.
We continually lose water from our skin, kidneys, bowels, and lungs. Just sleeping in a small tent, it’s not surprising to find all kinds of condensation on the inside of the tent from the water exhaled during the night.
We’ve taken water so much for granted for so long, it would seem unlikely a person 60 years ago could even conceive water being sold as it is today, along with the vast income generated by the sale of bottled water.
Just as your car’s engine would burn up without water in the radiator, your cell structure could never survive the metabolic process of oxidation without water present.
Your biochemistry is dependent on water, both as the compound of H2O, as well as the constituents of both hydrogen and oxygen. We get oxygen from the air we breathe, but there’s some oxygen available as hydrogen is separated from water and utilized in various metabolic processes.
We lose water in the process of respiration. Moisture is required in maintaining the cell structure lining our lungs, trachea, and sinuses. As you breathe, the dry air has to be moistened to avoid damaging these delicate cells. The dryer the climate, the greater the water loss. The higher the humidity, the lower the fluid loss. Keep this in mind as the ratio of water required by your body should be regulated on a sliding scale.
Under ideal conditions, we consider the average water requirement of one ounce for every two pounds of body weight. This would calculate out for a 200 pound man requiring 100 ounces of water a day. Weather can dramatically alter this amount.
When greater amounts of fluid is lost through perspiration or even diarrhea, mineral loss must be taken into consideration along with the fluid replacement. Loss of potassium through either of these conditions will dramatically effect many cells.
A loss of potassium through perspiration can lead to inability clearing sodium from the cells. The sodium pump, found in each cell, actively moves sodium out to the cells. This action draws the water with it. This sodium pump is driven by potassium. This is the reason for swollen extremities from hot weather. When this happens it’s a sure sign of requiring more water along with additional potassium to pull the sodium out of the tissues. Both are critical in hot weather. A great source of potassium is found in fresh vegetables. Here is where the use of raw vegetable juices can help.
When seeking out sources of hydration, the consumption of distilled water is counterproductive as it’s void of minerals and is considered hungry, pulling what minerals you have, out of your system. This can be beneficial only when trying to remove inappropriate minerals from the system. Afterwards, it’s important to add back good minerals with natural means.
When considering fluid and mineral replacement, the best choice is real spring water. When a good clean source is obtained, an abundance of natural minerals should still be contained in the water. Mineral water that is considered hard contains calcium in the most usable form. This is going to carry an alkaline pH and is important in protecting against various cancers. I’m not a fan of purified water, and most city water contains halogens like chlorine or Fluoride. Both of these can mess up thyroid function by displacing iodine.
Welcome in the summer and don’t forget to hydrate. I will need to be very aware on my long hot motorcycle trip this month. Wind and heat can strip far more fluid than expected.
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